Development

The UT-1 was designed as a single-seater advanced trainer and aerobatic airplane by the team led by Alexander Sergeevich Yakovlev. The first prototype, designated the AIR-14, was flown in early 1936. The AIR-14 was a small low-winged monoplane with a fixed tailwheel undercarriage, with a welded steel fuselage and a wooden wing.

After some changes, the AIR-14 was accepted for production. Among other improvements, the 75&nbsp;kW (100&nbsp;hp) Shvetsov M-11radial was changed to the more powerful 86&nbsp;kW (115&nbsp;hp) M-11G. The plane received the designation UT-1 (uchebno-trenirovochnyi , primary/advanced trainer); despite this designation, it was not suitable for primary training.

The UT-1 was used as a transitional type between the UT-2 and fighter like the I-16. It was not easy to fly, requiring precise piloting, thus forming an ideal intermediate between basic trainers and the maneuverable but tricky to fly I-16. In 1939 the plane was modified by moving the engine 26&nbsp;cm (10&nbsp;in) forward, which improved its handling. During production, the 112&nbsp;kW (150&nbsp;hp) M-11E engine was also used....Read More